Lehigh Township supervisors approved a new fireworks ordinance and received an update on the township’s ongoing zoning and mapping project this week.

Matt Wanamaker, of Pennoni Associates, the township’s zoning and mapping consultant, attended the meeting at the request of the board to provide an update on the zoning ordinance revision process.

“I have had a meeting with your staff and we went through the list of source material. It was not updated. We thought it was tech,” Wanamaker said Tuesday. “We are currently on page 249 of 300, which should be complete tomorrow. We are working on the mapping.”

Once the zoning ordinance and mapping are completed, the documents will be reviewed by the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, then the zoning officer, followed by the Lehigh Township Planning and Zoning board, and finally the board of supervisors before it can be advertised.

Supervisors approved Ordinance 2026-1, which repeals and replaces the township’s existing fireworks ordinance to bring it into compliance with state regulations.

Under the ordinance, fireworks cannot be discharged within 150 feet of an occupied structure, cannot be aimed at people or vehicles, and cannot be used on public, private, or school property. Fireworks also cannot be used while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Time restrictions allow municipalities to limit fireworks use between 10 p.m. and 10 a.m., though the ordinance provides exceptions for July 2, 3 and 4, and Dec. 31, when fireworks may be used until 1 a.m. High-explosive fireworks such as M-80s, half-sticks and quarter-sticks remain illegal.

Supervisors also discussed possible amendments to the township’s noise ordinance, with Zoning Officer Roxann Colfer explaining that changes are needed to allow police to enforce certain provisions.

During the discussion, supervisors debated which provisions to keep in the ordinance and which to move into resolutions. The township will also be purchasing two decibel readers — one for the zoning department and one for the police department — and training will be provided. The board ultimately tabled the noise ordinance discussion.

Resolution 2026-13, which would establish scheduling priorities and fees for facility use, was also tabled. Supervisor Cindy Miller said changes are needed to ensure payment is collected sooner.

“We need to get payment right when the person responsible for the games comes to rent the fields. We need to change the 30 days,” Miller said.

Resolution 2026-14, addressing miscellaneous fees, was tabled as well.

Supervisors then considered Ordinance 2026-2, which would amend Chapter 107-7 regarding the consumption of alcohol in township parks.

Supervisor Dave Hess made a motion, seconded by Supervisor Jerry Pritchard, to require people applying for a permit to consume alcohol to provide a certificate of insurance naming Lehigh Township as an additional insured. Supervisors Cindy Miller, Sheats and Jones voted against the motion, while Hess and Pritchard voted in favor. The motion failed, and the ordinance will remain unchanged, allowing permits without the insurance requirement.

Supervisor Janet Sheats said she would prefer eliminating the alcohol ordinance entirely to allow police enforcement. Township Manager Alice Rehrig reported that the Rails to Trails group would like to resume holding meetings on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the township boardroom. Supervisors agreed.

Rehrig also said she would like to explore new software options for township finances due to anticipated cost increases with the current vendor.

“Our current one was bought by another company. I have checked on that and the expense will go up soon,” Rehrig said. “I would like to find a new one before it costs more. I just want to be prepared.”

The board agreed with her recommendation.